What Is the Best Material Choice for a Pavilion in the Hershey and Enola, PA, Area?

Some of the most exciting times in a backyard take place within a pavilion. These wonderful permanent outdoor shelter structures can host a variety of outdoor living features and anchor the backyard. Choosing the right material for your pavilion will not only help it blend in with the surrounding landscape and home, but it will also enhance the beauty and function of the landscape. Let’s answer this question: What is the best material choice for a pavilion in the Hershey and Enola, PA area?

Related: Plan a Pavilion Perfect for Spring and Summer in Harrisburg, PA

Basic Structure of a Pavilion

Pavilions feature closed roofs that ensure complete protection from the rain, snow, hail, and direct sunlight. Meanwhile, a pavilion has open walls that keep the breeze rolling through. At least four posts and some beams will hold the structure upright and provide excellent shelter. A pavilion is designed to be installed on a hard surface and does not have a floor.

Placement and Size

The size of a pavilion is defined by the constraints of your outdoor living space. A pavilion shouldn’t be too large or too close to the home, or it just becomes another room in the house albeit outdoors. Placing the pavilion at the far end of your outdoor living space allows it to maintain a separate presence from the house and becomes a hub for activities in your backyard. A rectangular shape is a popular design for a pavilion, though it can also be square if that is what the space calls for,

Supports

The composition of the posts and beams that make up the pavilion structure can be wood, vinyl, metal, or masonry. 

Wood: Surely the most popular pavilion support material is wood, which can easily blend between the naturalistic elements of a landscape and an elegant home. Wood is durable, though it requires consistent staining every few years to avoid deterioration. Cedar is a popular option because of its weather resistance. The stain color should be chosen to harmonize with the home and the surrounding landscape.

Vinyl: Vinyl is a great alternative to wood because it is just as strong and visually appealing, but it does not require any regular maintenance. Vinyl can be several different colors that will never peel off or fade away. The downside is that you are limited to certain colors, but if that’s not a problem then vinyl could be a great alternative for a carefree backyard.

Metal: For more industrial and modern design schemes in a landscape, metal is an excellent support material for a pavilion. Most metal support styles will mesh well with a wooden ceiling to add a touch of warmth. However, since they’re made with lightweight aluminum, many metal pavilions won’t last as long as wood.

Fiberglass: similar in durability and appearance to vinyl, fiberglass pavilions are low maintenance and long-lasting. However, they are much more expensive than wood or vinyl pavilions.  

Masonry: Masonry is an incredibly beautiful support material when used in structures, though it’s not commonly used in the full construction of a pavilion due to the chunky look; many homeowners opt for masonry pillars topped with wood posts. Use concrete blocks to provide structural support, and then clad them with an attractive masonry.

Roof Materials

The roof material that’s best used in a pavilion depends on your choice of support material. Typically, asphalt shingles are used in all wood and vinyl pavilions while metal roofing is used with metal pavilions.  

Related: 5 Reasons to Include a Pavilion in Your Hershey, PA Landscape Design